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Getting the Vote--One Nursery School Acceptance At a Time

Below is opening of a 7,700-word article on Governor Pataki's political strategy in the fall 2002. The author gives examples of his "soliciting the Democratic vote with spirited promiscuity," leading off with this little anecdote about political perspectives on education

George E. Pataki has often professed his commitment to the education of each and every child in New York. But Dan Klores, a well-known public relations guru, never realized just how literally the governor took this pledge until one Friday morning some 18 months ago.
''Dan?'' His wife popped her head in their bedroom door. ''Governor Pataki's on the phone.''

Governor Pataki? Not only had Klores never spoken with the governor, but he had just begun helping to formulate a campaign strategy for Andrew Cuomo, one of Pataki's potential rivals in the coming fall election.

He picked up the phone.

''And it was him, not someone making the call for him,'' Klores marvels. ''And he said -- you could almost tell he had a script in front of him -- 'I hear you're trying to get your son Jake into Temple Emanu-El nursery school. Would you mind if I made a call to help you?' ''

Klores had no idea what to say. The governor added, ''I hear you're a great guy but politically misguided.' '' That made Klores laugh. ''Of course I wouldn't mind,'' he said. ''But Governor, you have to understand: Andrew Cuomo is one of my best friends. If you make this call, I'm still going to do everything I can to get him elected. But I'll tell you what: I'm going to vote for you.' ''

The governor also laughed, told him fine and hung up. ''It was such a brilliant move,'' Klores says. ''I ran into him a couple of months later at a Knicks game. And I told him, 'No matter what happens during this campaign, I will never go negative on you.' And I didn't.'' . . . .



— Jennifer Senior
Going For Broke
New York Times Magazine
June 15, 2003
http://query.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F70716FF395D0C768DDDAF0894DB404482

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INDEX OF OUTRAGES

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